Friday, July 31, 2009

I worked some more on the lighthouse and I really like it now. The room doesn't have electricity so I made it look as though the light works by putting a faceted gold bead in for the light. I also added this Chrysnbon rocker. The room looks really cozy now, I think.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

I had some fun with scraps of polymer clay today. There's peppermint candy and bacon off to the right. I love the pitcher and bowl at the back. The way the clay mixed I got a fired pottery look to the pieces. The blue and green mugs are just so I have some on hand for little scenes. So many times it just takes something that simple to give a room a lived in look.

Well, I did spend time on a mini project last night but it's for a contest so I can't share pics yet. The good news is that the summer contest deadine is nearly here so I will soon be able to share those photos.

So, the wedding news is that I think we've actually found a reception site for my daughter's August 7, 2010 wedding. She actually likes the same hall that DH and I used for our reception. Since she's getting married on our 28th anniversary, it will be a true sentimental journey for Mark and me. We also booked the date with the florist. The shop is owned by the mother and grandmother of one of my daughter's high school friends. It was very refreshing to have the salesperson suggest ways to save money rather than spend it. We are making progress - got the groom, got the church, got the minister and pianist, got the dress and bridesmaids' dresses, got the reception site, got the flowers and I'm doing the invitations which are designed and ready to print as soon as I get the paper ordered. The meal is a hog roast (provided by the groom's parents) and I need to call the caterer for the rest of the meal but we're getting there. I just can't believe how far in advance you've got to plan and reserve now! It's a good thing I've got a year to find my dress, though, 'cause that search isn't going so well...and the bride frowns on her mommy showing up nekkid, lol.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Please help me welcome three of my etsy teammids friends to my blog. Hanna's blog, http://hannajaleijona.blogspot.com/, has many beautiful things to see, including her wonderful needle felted creations. Snowfern, http://snowfern.com/, makes mini food that makes you hungry just to look at it. Sandy Copeland doesn't have a blog but in her etsy shop of the same name you will find beautiful dolls and mini accessories for your dollhouse. All three ladies have shops on etsy showcasing their amazing creations. Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

I wasn't completely happy with my tables before but now I love them. I had the hemp cord out to make the glass float and got inspired to add it to the table legs and the lamp. After all, you can't have too much rope in a nautically themed room, right? In the porch picture you can see the glass float hanging from the porch rail.

Now if I can just figure out what to do with that lighthouse so that I like it...It still looks like it needs "something" but I'm not sure what. Any suggestions?

April, over on her blog Every Little Thing, recently posted a tutorial for making glass floats. I thought one would look cool on the beach house porch so I gave it a try. The tutorial is very easy and I had everything on hand. I've noticed a lot of bloggers are currently working on some sort of beach/nautical project right now and this glass float would fit right in. So thank you, April, for the instructions!

Thank you all so much for your interest in the miniature projects I do. It means so much to me that you take the time to read each day.

I have two new followers and I found the missing name from yesterday. Hollyshan is the only one of the three who has a blog that I can find. Hers is very new so please stop by and welcome her to blog land. http://hollyshan.blogspot.com/

Cindymeguiar and Suzeez are the other new followers. Thank you ladies!

Monday, July 27, 2009

I just added a few small details really. On the porch I added the light beside the door. It has a nice patina from exposure to the sea air. I also added a hook to hold the "real" life preserver so it's handy for those trips in the boat.

I made a braided rug for the living room. I like it much better than the original fabric one I had in here. There's also an oversized mug of tea on the coffee table. I'm thinking I should add a pair of shoes on the floor as if they've been kicked off before getting comfy on the couch with a book.

I have all the major elements in place but it's fun to add all of the little details that make it look like someone really lives there.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

It's finished...I think. There's still room for a few small accessories. At least a cup of tea next to the book on the coffee table. The tall lighthouse next to the door wasn't quite finished when I took the photos but I wanted to see how it was going to look.

The fireplace and blanket chest were made from a dismantled Michael's hutch - you gotta love those things! I made the sofa from scratch with cardboard, balsa, batting and fabric. I wanted it to look like it was slipcovered and I think I achieved that. This project makes me want to head to the beach. Vacation anyone?

Friday, July 24, 2009

I finally had some time to play today! The Small World forum just had a nautical swap and I got some beautiful things. I wanted a beach cottage to display everything and I challenged myself to use what I had on hand today to make it. This is actually just the living room and front porch of the house. The porch and siding are weather worn but welcoming. The painted wood floor in the living room is also a bit worn. You can see the beach through the windows. The little cottage is very well accessorized but I'm going to have to make some living room furniture. That will be the weekend project, I hope.

Didn't I get some lovely things? I have some very talented friends and it's so fun to display everything together.

PS Can you tell that the cottage started life as a plain, old cardboard box? I hope not!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Many of you remember Babs. Almost as soon as I listed her in my etsy shop she sold to Sandi at WhimsyCottageMinis (also on etsy). Sandi has put Babs to work as the spokeswoman for her WMC luggage line. She's also modelling the WMC jewelry line. Please check out WhimsyCottageMinis. In addition to the beautiful luggage and jewelry, you will find many unique miniatures.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Well I think I'm back with a functional internet again. During this past couple of weeks our tortoiseshell cat, Zoe, decided to explore the outdoors when Abby went out. Unfortunately, Zyla, the puppy, thought it was play time and chased Zoe who took off for the fields and hasn't been seen since. That was last Thursday. I think she's probably hiding in the weeds or the woods on our property but is too scared to come out. She's done that before but we didn't have Zyla then and were able to coax the kitty in. I'm not sure that will happen this time. My 19 year old daughter claims Zoe as "her" cat and has been in tears most every day since. Aaaagh! It's always something...

Saturday, July 18, 2009

I hope to be able to blog regularly again soon. We're still waiting on the internet usage level to drop so I'm not online much at home. The only mini making I've done recently is for a swap so I can't even share pictures yet.

We had a fun family day today to celebrate hubby's birthday (tomorrow). We ate at the Flat Top Grill and saw Harry Potter. Got to do a little shopping too. A long, but fun, day.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

I received a lovely gift in the mail today from Doreen. She sent a beautiful readable bird book, a lovely old fashioned book about Santa and a bag of chips. My mini people send their thanks as well!

I've met so many lovely people online who enjoy the same things I do. I've missed my daily contact with all of you while my internet service is limited. Hopefully, I'll get to go back to my normal routine soon.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

We're having some internet issues at home so I won't be online unless I'm able to use someone else's service. I may not be able to post as frequently but don't worry. I'm ok just frustrated with the satellite server. I can't wait until that contract is up. Hopefully, we can get regular wireless again. Some aspects of rural living are more inconvenient than others. :-)

Thursday, July 9, 2009

I made this set this afternoon. Four dinner plates, four saucer/salad plates, four cups, two serving bowls, one platter, cake tray, salt and pepper set. I used red, white and blue polymer clay scraps swirled together and then used a red glaze on the finished pieces. I love the scalloped edges and they are very easy to do. I just listed all of the dish sets on etsy.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Pink dishes, that is. I spent some time playing with leftover scraps of clay today and these two sets of dishes are the result. I think the brown and pink ones look like ironstone and the pink swirl ones look more like handthrown pottery.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

This is the wedding gazebo I mentioned in an earlier post. The actual gazebo is a real life bird feeder. There are many "firsts" for me in this display. My first polymer clay roses - on the cake, in the bouquet and the bride's headpiece, and the flowers vining up the sides of the gazebo. This was also my first wedding cake. I used various sizes of bottle caps for the cake layers. The cake table is my first attempt at pleating the cloth into soft folds. The area around the gazebo is my first attempt at landscaping.

The groom is an older doll given to me by my husband's aunt. I gave him a new white shirt, a tie and a boutonierre for his park wedding. The bride was sculpted and dressed by me.

This was a fun little project. One of my favorite things to do is to make over real life items.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Rose and Michael wanted to show off their wedding pictures so we changed the whole blog look to fit. The photos off to the side and bottom show some of the other wedding themed projects I've done. I need to find photos of my wedding gazebo then I think all of the current ones will be represented. Do any of you have a soft spot for weddings that's represented in your mini projects? If so, I'd love to see the projects!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

I messed up my back yesterday and couldn't sleep so I was able to finish my bride sooner than anticipated. I'm very happy with the finished doll. There are many details too small to see in the photos - "diamond" choker, earrings and engagement ring, blue garter, pearl pumps with silver trim, upswept hair with cascading ringlets.

I mixed Sculpey III with Kato polymer clay for this doll. It was easier to sculpt and smooth but I had some problems with cracking after baking and had to do some repair work. I guess I'll have just use straight Kato. It's stronger and has a slight sheen after baking that I really like. I'm just not good at sculpting and smoothing it yet.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

I started a new doll this evening. She's been baked and is now lying in pieces waiting for me to assemble her. I messed up my back today so the poor doll is gonna have to wait. She's going to be a contemporary bride and I'm still designing her gown in my head. Hopefully, by tomorrow evening I will have something to show you.

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About Me

I've been happily married for 33 years to my high school sweetheart and we have three great kids. All are young adults. I'm currently working part time as an instructional assistant at the local elementary school. My mini life is especially important to me because it takes me away (better than a bubble bath!) from the stresses of real life. I've been involved with mini-ing since the late 1980s with a break for about 10 years while my children were young.
My faith and my family are very important to me. I am so thankful that God blessed me with the gift of creativity!